Solicitor - Legal Services Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an in‑house solicitor to lead the UK Legal Services team and to play a key role in shaping the in‑house legal and commercial service provision across the University globally. This is a unique opportunity to join at a formative stage, contributing to the cultural transformation and modernisation of the University’s legal function in support of Strategy 2035.

The role will act as the line manager for the UK Legal Services team to oversee and manage its day‑to‑day operations and to deliver high‑quality services to its stakeholders.

• Manage the UK Legal Services team, working closely with legal stakeholders including the Assurance Services Manager, Head of Research Legal, Legal and Assurance Managers located at Dubai and Malaysia Campuses, Deputy General Counsel, General Counsel, and the Head of Assurance and Legal Services.
• Manage the team’s caseload to ensure the provision of high‑quality timely legal advice and guidance to stakeholders across the group.
• Determine what can be managed internally and what requires external legal advice and make appropriate referrals.
• Review, draft and negotiate a range of commercial contracts and agreements covering the full spectrum of commercial activities, including complex collaborations, industry‑sponsored collaborations, consortium agreements, studentships, NDAs, consultancy and material transfer agreements, with a pragmatic and solutions‑focused approach.
• Provide legal support across key areas including commercial contracts, employment‑related matters and real‑estate/property issues, depending on business need.
• Work closely with colleagues from a wide range of professional disciplines (academic, commercial, HR, procurement and operations), building strong relationships and delivering practical, accessible advice.
• Contribute to the development of new processes, templates and ways of working as part of the ongoing evolution and modernisation of the legal function.
• Interpret legislation or changes to legislation as it pertains to HWU and the HWU Group, and process the necessary changes to internal policies, procedures and guidance.
• Manage the budget of the team within the Division.
• Develop and deliver high‑quality legal advice and guidance for the global University community across the portfolio of work.
• Provide high‑quality reports to the University Executive, Audit and Risk Committee and other Executive and Court Committees, and present these when deputising for the Head of Assurance and Legal Services or Deputy General Counsel.
• Represent the University within the relevant HE sectoral and wider networks with respect to legal matters, deputising for the Head of Assurance Services where required.
• Interact with external clients to negotiate agreements as appropriate.
• Provide cover for other members of the Legal or Assurance and Legal Services teams during holidays, absences and other periods.
• Perform other duties or changes to the above duties as required from time to time to support the achievement of objectives in service delivery.

• Scots or UK qualified solicitor with full unrestricted practising certificate from the Law Society of Scotland or equivalent.
• Educated to degree level (LL.B or equivalent).
• A solid track record of providing legal advice to an in‑house audience or to clients, managing and developing teams, and managing your own workload effectively.
• Experience of general in‑house legal advisory work, including commercial contracts, disputes, real‑estate and/or HR legal advice or demonstrable transferable skills.
• Competent in the use of relevant IT packages.
• Demonstrable professional expertise in legal and contractual fields with a well‑developed understanding of the relevant legal, statutory and governance applications and turning them into good practice.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively.
• Pragmatic, professional, solutions‑focused approach with a strong proactive “can‑do” attitude.
• Ability to persuade, motivate and lead a team, including setting objectives and managing workload.
• Experience of working closely with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation with a strong focus on excellent customer service.
• High‑level planning and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment.

• Good understanding of and/or previous experience of working within the Higher Education sector, charity and other highly regulated sectors, including FOISA and public‑sector environments.
• Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment.
• Experience working internationally across different legal jurisdictions.
• Ability to manage budgets.

Flexible working patterns, including part‑time working and job‑share options, are available.

Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot‑Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under‑represented groups. Heriot‑Watt University welcomes and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options. We encourage applicants to contact the recruitment team for further information.